Olympic Profile- 'Disco' Tom Ashley

by www.stuff.co.nz on 6 Jul 2008
Tom Ashley is quick to play down suggestions he's a latter-day John Travolta. And it's hard to see how a quiet, tall, skinny white guy who follows guidelines laid down by an ancient Indian medical practice could earn the nickname 'Disco Tom'.

But there it is, on that font of all cyber wisdom Wikipedia: 'Thomas (`Disco Tom') John Mitchell Ashley (born 11 February 1984 in Auckland) is a sailor from New Zealand, who won the gold medal at the 2008 RS:X World Championships. He is the 2008 world champion.'

Once you've got over the fact his middle names are John Mitchell, you read: 'Aside from his on-water achievements, Thomas's performances at international windsurfing event after-parties have earned him the nickname `Disco Tom'. If anything, the relative infrequency of these parties has added to the myth of his electrifying dance floor routines. This myth, in turn, has buttressed his reputation as the most desired man in international windsurfing.'

I raise this with Ashley and he's quick to laugh before attesting to be one of the few people in the western world who hasn't Googled his own name ...

'But I have seen it,' Ashley confesses, 'someone drew my attention to it at the worlds and I know exactly who is responsible, it's my best mate from Australia. I didn't think it was a big enough deal to get it deleted; it's a bit tongue and cheek.'

For any more evidence Ashley isn't really a big party person, here are the reasons he won't be marching in the Olympic Games opening ceremony: 'I'm not really into that kind of thing. I don't really like big occasions and big crowds so I'll be more than happy not to go.'

Ashley really is your typically reticent and self-effacing Kiwi and for that reason he has flown under the radar when talk turns to possible Olympic gold medal candidates.

Ashley has been almost untouchable at the top of men's windsurfing for the past two years, winning six of the 10 regattas he has entered since August 2006, including prestigious events in France and Spain, as well as the pre-Olympic regatta at Qingdao and the 2008 world championship in Takapuna.

He's honing his Olympic preparation at Valencia, working out of the base used by America's Cup syndicates last year.

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